Bhubaneswar: Opposition Congress and BJP today created heavy noise in the well of Odisha Assembly demanding clarification from chief minister on government’s stand on Mahanadi forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 3 pm.
Soon after the House assembled for the day, Congress members followed by BJP stormed into the well shouting slogans. Opposition chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati tried to climb atop Speaker’s podium and snatch the speaker during question hour.
Bahinipati said the State government denied Opposition’s demand to clarify its stand on Mahanadi issue. “The ruling party had stalled the House for two consecutive days without any issue. We requested the Speaker to convene an all-party meet to restore normalcy in House. When all the members agreed to cooperate with chief minister for meeting Prime Minister, President, the chief minister did not take the House into confidence”, he alleged.
“I, Leader of Opposition and other legislators assured the government of full cooperation to protect Odisha's interest on Mahanadi. But, government is yet to clear its stand. Instead of accepting us, the chief minister criticising us saying that Opposition is shedding crocodile tear. This is unfortunate .We demand clarification from the chief minister", Bahinipati added.
On the other hand, BJD criticised BJP and Congress for allegedly taking step motherly attitude toward Odisha.
"When a discussion on the issue was held through a motion, the members of the opposition had much participation. The Chief Minister also clarified government's next course of action over the river issue after the discussion. Chief minister had approached his Chhattisgarh counterpart and Centre in the tripartite meet in Delhi to halt the project, but the BJP-led government-both at Centre and the neighbouring State- turned a deaf ears. The BJP has always taken a step motherly attitude towards Odisha. Similarly, Congress too has little interest for the State”, BJD spokesperson Dibyashankar Mishra said.
“Where is Rahul Gandhi now, who was doing much politics in Odisha over farmer suicide", Mishra asked.